Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has addressed the recent arrest of three traffic police officers who were caught accepting bribes in Nairobi’s central business district.
The officers were apprehended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) along Moi Avenue, with the officers reportedly collecting bribes amounting to Ksh48,000 over a two-hour period near Moi Avenue Primary and Junior School.
Speaking to the media, Kanja explained that the government is in the final stages of rolling out a digital policing system aimed at reducing direct interaction between police officers and the public.
This initiative is intended to tackle corruption within the force by minimizing situations where officers may demand bribes.
Kanja emphasized that the introduction of technology into policing will reduce human contact, allowing most issues that typically require police intervention to be handled through digital platforms.
He believes that this change will significantly cut down on corrupt activities, ensuring a more transparent and effective policing system.
The funding for the digital system, according to Kanja, is not a concern as several donors have already pledged their support. “There is no reason to worry about the funding; many donors are contributing to this initiative, so there is no cause for alarm,” Kanja stated.
The three officers were caught red-handed on Thursday, February 13, when they attempted to flee after being caught taking bribes. Despite their efforts to escape, EACC officials were quick to arrest them, marking a successful operation.
Local Kenyans, including bodaboda riders who were present during the arrest, expressed their satisfaction with the action. “No more bribes in the form of Ksh100, Ksh50, Ksh200, and Ksh30!” shouted one excited rider.
Others cheered the EACC officials, calling the arrest a victory against corruption, urging the authorities to continue their efforts.
The idea of digitizing the policing system has been in discussion for months, with the aim of reducing the need for direct contact between the public and law enforcement.
This shift is designed to make it easier for people to report crimes without the fear of bribery or intimidation from corrupt officers.
Additionally, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced in January that digital Occurrence Books (OB) would be launched by April 2025. This means that starting in April, citizens will no longer need to visit a police station in person to report incidents.
The key feature of this new system will be a digital platform for processing traffic fines and recording incidents, helping to streamline processes and eliminate opportunities for corruption.
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